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Sat, Feb 11 2012
Bulgarian President enraged by Finance Minister's 'joke'
President Georgi Purvanov
Photo: Assen Tonev
President Georgi Purvanov's office has urged Finance Minister Simeon Dyankov to either prove comments he made regarding alleged overseas assets of Purvanov, supposedly worth millions of leva, or resign.
The March 2 2010 statement from the presidency was an official reaction to Dyankov's remarks the previous evening on Nova Televisia's Ivan and Andrei chat show.
When asked whether he believed speculation that Purvanov owned luxury properties in the US, Dubai and Europe, and was therefore a young billionaire, Dyankov replied: "he (Purvanov) is definitely not young".
It is unclear whether it was this statement that enraged the presidency. The statement from the president's office, however, said that "in respect of inferences about properties and funds of the president abroad, which were made on a certain TV talk show on March 1, and which harm the head of state's image, the president insists that Dyankov either clarifies his position, and substantiates his comments, or resigns".
Such "jokes" were extremely inappropriate given news about the state of the Budget, the statement also said.
This is not the first time Dyankov has enraged Purvanov with his comments. The first occasion was when Dyankov called Purvanov's economic experts "imbeciles" for their suggestion that Bulgaria could drop the currency board.
The second occasion was when Dyankov called employees of the Bulgarian Academy of Science "old men from the feudalism era".
Dyankov has also managed to upset former interior minister Roumen Petkov. In 2009 Petkov had threatened to sue him for saying that Petkov was responsible for not amalgamating the Customs Agency and the National Revenue Agency into one information system.
After the first two cases Dyankov said he had been advised by Prime Minister Boiko Borissov not to engage in such verbal spats or risk reprimand.
The March 2 2010 statement from the presidency was an official reaction to Dyankov's remarks the previous evening on Nova Televisia's Ivan and Andrei chat show.
When asked whether he believed speculation that Purvanov owned luxury properties in the US, Dubai and Europe, and was therefore a young billionaire, Dyankov replied: "he (Purvanov) is definitely not young".
It is unclear whether it was this statement that enraged the presidency. The statement from the president's office, however, said that "in respect of inferences about properties and funds of the president abroad, which were made on a certain TV talk show on March 1, and which harm the head of state's image, the president insists that Dyankov either clarifies his position, and substantiates his comments, or resigns".
Such "jokes" were extremely inappropriate given news about the state of the Budget, the statement also said.
This is not the first time Dyankov has enraged Purvanov with his comments. The first occasion was when Dyankov called Purvanov's economic experts "imbeciles" for their suggestion that Bulgaria could drop the currency board.
The second occasion was when Dyankov called employees of the Bulgarian Academy of Science "old men from the feudalism era".
Dyankov has also managed to upset former interior minister Roumen Petkov. In 2009 Petkov had threatened to sue him for saying that Petkov was responsible for not amalgamating the Customs Agency and the National Revenue Agency into one information system.
After the first two cases Dyankov said he had been advised by Prime Minister Boiko Borissov not to engage in such verbal spats or risk reprimand.
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I think that most of Dyankov's comments are just plain silly. Bad manners, bad taste and provincialism in BG politics are not surpising though. Not that I favor Parvanov, or any Communists. But Dyankov is too much of a clown; I hope his financial policies are not a joke - not the right time for jokes
Just read back my comments and apologise for the spelling mistakes.
I was so incensed that I didn`t spellcheck the post. These younger but experienced people may be able to steer the Bulgarian Government into a new and prosperous era
wise up people. You now have a Ginanve Minister wirh 8 years of World Bank experience. He may not be `Media Savvie` bit he foes have an esonomic brain and the will to give back to Bulgaria as much as his experience as possible. Wise up! he may just love his country and want what is best. Better than those who want to `feather their own nest` He has come back with `world Bank` experience - THANK HIM and maybe you will all benefit.
I think that most of Dyankov's comments are just plain silly. Bad manners, bad taste and provincialism in BG politics are not surpising though. Not that I favor Parvanov, or any Communists. But Dyankov is too much of a clown; I hope his financial policies are not a joke - not the right time for jokes
Jon Mills is dead-on right both about Dyankov's rather big and uncontrolled mouth, and about Bulgarians' apparent taste for comedians in high office.
I cannot agree more with Jon Mills .
Absolutely spot on , Mr Mills ! Thank you .
Djankov is one of my favourite ministers . He also has the uncanny abvility to infuriate communists which is just an additional plus .
why is this a secret? of course the Bg big shots own foreign properties bought with money from all kinds of murky sources...workers of the world unite! Urahh Stalin! Uh yeah...
Hello,
I am not sure if this is relevant, but Mr.Georgi Purvanov visited Dubai several times during the last 4-5 years. Usually Mr.Milen Keremdchiev was arranging for him meetings with Sheikh Tareq Al Qassimi of Sharja, Chairman of Enshaa. The Sheikh also visited Bulgaria several times either to evaluate investment opportunities or on holidays, and during these visits met with Mr. Parvanov. Two other Bulgarians (Guerassim Daskalov & Anton Dimitrov), residents of Dubai, were also engaged in Mr.Georgi Purvanov's visits arrangements.
Now, Mr. Milen Keremedchiev was for 3 years Consul in Dubai and as such entertained [...]
Read the full comment many Bulgarian businessmen seeking investment and business opportunities. Also, he by him self, was engaged in import of wine in the Emirates and other trades, such as mobile phones. It is very much possible, some deals to have materialized with the help of Mr. Parvanov. Business deals are usually associated with profits and commissions :)
Sorry but I disagree. I want my Finance Minister to be a total bore, no sense of humour, but clever with national finance.
This country seems to want a comedian with a big and uncontrolled mouth to run its commercial affairs. If I was a fellow EU finance minister, I would be careful about what I discussed in his hearing.
Am beginning to like this Dyankov -my kind of guy. Welcome change from the dour and characterless lot that held most ministerial posts so far.